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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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    • Books that I have collaborated on, as photographer, with design author Susanna Salk
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    • At Home with Dogs and Their Designers: Sharing a Stylish Life
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    • At Home with Designers and Tastemakers: Creating Beautiful and Personal Interiors
    • Making a House a Home: Designing Your Interiors from the Floor Up
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Interior design

First Peek at Paris
Design, Interior design, Travel

First Peek at Paris

Je suis arrivée! While it may have been gray for my arrival, it is already feeling festive for the start… Read More

A Day at Château de Fontainebleau
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Travel

A Day at Château de Fontainebleau

Whereas many chateaux are associated primarily with a particular resident or royal, Chateau de Fontainebleau represents almost 1,000 years of… Read More

The Luxury of Time at the Met
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

The Luxury of Time at the Met

The luxury of time is a valuable asset when visiting the vast collections, exhibits and shops at the Metropolitan Museum. The phrase… Read More

Paris Pop Up Invitation
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Paris Pop Up Invitation

Next week, during Deco Off, please join me for a unique Paris Pop Up! I am thrilled to finally share a… Read More

The Rejuvenation of Richard Ginori
Design, Fashion, Interior design

The Rejuvenation of Richard Ginori

Founded in 1735 by Carlo Ginori in Sesto Fiorentinto outside Florence, the Italian porcelain company became the most distinguished manufacturer in… Read More

Introducing Schumacher Couture and Classics Collections
Design, Interior design

Introducing Schumacher Couture and Classics Collections

Before the holidays I visited the Schumacher headquarters to preview their early 2016 releases. While most of you are no doubt… Read More

First Stop Atlanta at Americasmart January Market
Interior design, Travel

First Stop Atlanta at Americasmart January Market

2016 is already shaping up to be an inspiring year with exciting events, travel and collaborations in the next several months…. Read More

New Digs for Newel
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

New Digs for Newel

As a source of decorative and fine arts for both the entertainment and design/antiques industry, Newel has been an insider’s choice… Read More

Christmas in Connecticut
Architecture, Holiday, Interior design

Christmas in Connecticut

My friend, designer Lisa Hilderbrand, lives in a renovated 18th century saltbox that each year she transforms into the epitome of Christmas… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Lela Rose
Books, Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Holiday, Interior design

At Home with Susanna Salk and Lela Rose

Lela Rose is not only an acclaimed fashion designer, with eponymous ready-to-wear and bridal collections, but, as seen in her new book, Prêt-à-Party, a passionate… Read More

The Legacy of Luxury Linens at E. Braun and Jesurum
Interior design

The Legacy of Luxury Linens at E. Braun and Jesurum

Luxury linens are a pleasure that easily enhance your life every single day. Especially as the winter days get short, it can be… Read More

The Exciting New Drake + Anderson
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

The Exciting New Drake + Anderson

While I am frequently touting the stylish mix of the well established with the new, I am not normally referring to… Read More

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Charleston has a way of drawing people back again Charleston has a way of drawing people back again and again—and homes like this remind us why.
Tag along as designer @michaelmitchelldesigner welcomes us inside his gracious home, where layers of history, thoughtful collecting, and a deeply personal approach to design make every room a reflection of both its owner and the city itself.
LINK IN PROFILE.
One of my favorite things about setting a table is One of my favorite things about setting a table is that it never has to begin from scratch.

The most beautiful tables are collected over time—mixing old favorites with new discoveries, heirlooms with contemporary pieces, and the things you’ve loved for years with something that brings fresh perspective.

For this table, I’ve paired PeterDunham + Hudson Grace’s (@peterdunhamdesign @hudsongracesf ) beautiful salad and bread plates and napkins with Blue Carnation dinner plates, table linens, glassware, and flatware from my shop, alongside a few favorite pieces from my personal collection.

I hope this table is a reminder that you don’t need everything to match—or come from one place. The magic is in the mix. Every new piece should make you fall in love with the pieces you already own all over again.

That’s the joy of collecting—and the beauty of a table that reflects your own story.

Shop the table through link in profile
Very excited to be returning to @eleishvanbreems o Very excited to be returning to @eleishvanbreems on Nantucket for a 2 day trunk show next Thursday and Friday! If on island, do stop by! There will be many new introductions you will be the first to see!!
Some homes are beautiful. Others tell a story. Th Some homes are beautiful. Others tell a story. 
The Yucatán home of interior designer @laurakirar and architect Richard Frazier @rwf333 is both -  a masterful reflection of its surroundings, where architecture, landscape, light, and craftsmanship come together in perfect harmony.
Tag along for a visit to this extraordinary retreat and discover how years of collecting, collaboration, and creative vision shaped a house that feels deeply connected to its place. LINK IN PROFILE
Wishing everyone a very happy Mother’s Day! 🌸 Flow Wishing everyone a very happy Mother’s Day! 🌸 Flowers from my thoughtful husband - all else from my shop (plates coming soon - DM to be notified).
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